Indonesia: Forty percent of coral reefs in Gorontalo waters damaged by blast fishing

Antara 15 Mar 11;

Gorontalo, Northen Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - About 40 percent of coral reefs in the Gulf of Tomini in Gorontalo province waters is believed to have been damaged by blast fishing, a local environmental affairs official said.

Rugaya Biuki, head of the environmental management section at Gorontalo province`s environment office, said here Tuesday , the damage had mainly occurred to coral reefs in coastal areas, adjacent to the mainland.

Generally, the value of coral reef covers spread along the coast and local islands, had begun to shrink and become eroded due to human activities.

"Coral reefs at some islands such as in Asiangi, Lamua Daa, Raja and Popaya islands, still have relatively good covers which range from 50 to 80 percent," Rugaya said.

Coral reefs in the Gulf of Tomini, especially in Gorontalo province. consist of two types, namely ring coral reefs (atoll) and edge coral reef (fringing reef).

Coral reefs function as a protective coastal ecosystems to arrest and break up the energy of sea waves and thus prevents abrasion and damage to the coastal environment.

In addition, coral reefs also serve as home to many kinds of marine biota.

Editor: Priyambodo RH